Cherry tree named ‘PC7064-3’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of sweet cherry ( Prunus avium ), named ‘PC7064-3’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its very large, high quality dark red fruit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus avium.

Variety denomination: PC7064-3.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cherry tree ‘PC7064-3’ was developed as part of a controlledbreeding program at the Washington State University IrrigatedAgriculture Research and Extension Center at Prosser, Wash. It wasselected from among several seedlings of the variety ‘P8-79’ (unpatentedvariety)×‘Stella’ (unpatented variety) from crosses made in 1970, andwas subsequently asexually propagated by chip budding at Prosser.Asexual propagation of ‘PC7064-3’ has shown that its desirablecharacteristics reproduce true to form and are established andtransmitted through succeeding generations.

‘PC7064-3’ is notable for its very large, high quality dark red fruit,which are larger than the fruit of male parent ‘Stella’ and ripen laterthan ‘Stella.’ Bloom time for the new cultivar is approximately the sameas for ‘Bing’; the fruit of the new cultivar ripens about the same timeas ‘Lapins.’ ‘PC7064-3’ is self fertile. All closely observed second andthird generation test trees have shown no tendency toward the cherrycrinkle-leaf disorder that is common in ‘Bing’ as well as in severalother varieties of sweet cherry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing the fruit of the new cultivar;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing fruit and leaves of the newcultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of Prunus avium named ‘PC7064-3’, based on observationsmade during the 2002 growing season of 24-year old specimen trees grownnear Prosser, Wash. The specimen trees were grown on ‘Mazzard’(unpatented) rootstock. It should be understood that the botanicalcharacteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon culturalpractices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location andseason. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of individual plants of the newvariety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group ofplants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Colordesignations are made in reference to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average size 14 feet high, 18 feet wide (on            ‘Mazzard’ rootstock).        -   Vigor.—Vigorous. Average growth 18 inches per year.        -   Branching habit.—Upright-spreading.        -   Density.—Average for sweet cherry.        -   Form.—Round-headed when mature.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in area where tested.        -   Production.—More productive than ‘Bing’ or ‘Lapins’.        -   Bearing.—Consistent, regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Stocky, average 42.7 cm diameter.        -   Bark texture.—Mixed; some smooth and some rough areas; some            rough areas peel away from trunk; typical for sweet cherry.        -   Bark color.—Gray brown; smooth areas 187A, rough areas 197A.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous; Large, average 3-20 mm diameter;            greyed-green 197B.-   Branch:    -   -   Size.—Stocky main scaffolds as large as 21.4 cm diameter;            fruiting branches vary.        -   Crotch angle of bearing branches.—25°-90° from vertical.        -   Texture.—Average, typical for sweet cherry.        -   Color.—First year wood, light green 143C; Second year wood,            grey-brown N199B.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous; Medium, average 1-3 mm in diameter;            greyed-orange 177C.-   Leaves: (Measurements are from mature leaves attached at midpoint of    actively growing upright shoots of current season's growth.).    -   -   Size.—Very large, average 14-16 cm long, 7-8 cm wide.        -   Arrangement.—Typical of species.        -   Form.—Lanceolate with acuminate tip.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Upper surface, glossy green 132A; Lower surface,            light green 132D.        -   Midvein.—Large, average 1.5 mm diameter; Green 141D.        -   Petiole.—Medium to short, average 30-35 mm long, 2-3 mm            thick; green 141D.        -   Glands.—2; Large, 2 to 3 mm long, oval.-   Flower:    -   -   Bloom date.—Approximately April 5 to April 23; average April            15.        -   Dormant buds.—7.3 to 9.4 mm long, average 8.1 mm; 2.6 to 4.0            mm wide, average 3.3 mm; color greyed-orange 177A.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Eating ripe June 28 (16 year average).        -   Date of first picking.—June 17.        -   Date of last picking.—July 12.        -   Size.—Very large, average 8-13 g; diameter transversely            across suture, average 2.5-2.9 cm; diameter apically average            2.2-2.5 cm.        -   Form.—Uniform; symmetrical.        -   Suture.—Very shallow.        -   Stem.—Long, thin, average 4-5 cm in length; Light green            141D.        -   Skin.—Medium thickness; Medium texture (neither            exceptionally smooth nor rough); Tenacious to flesh;            Susceptible to cracking caused by prolonged rains, about the            same as ‘Bing’; No susceptibility to cracking in dry season;            Color, red 53B, red-purple 59A.        -   Flesh.—Color, red 45A; Texture, firm, crisp; Eating quality,            good.        -   Stone.—Semi-free stone; Small, average 1 cm long, 0.8 cm            wide; Oval; color greyed-orange 164C.-   Use: Late season shipping to fresh markets.-   Keeping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects and diseases: Susceptible to bacterial canker    (pseudomonas); no cherry crinkle-leaf noted.-   Shipping quality: Firm.

1. A new and distinct cherry tree, substantially as shown and describedherein.